Union Station Photo Flap Grows Into Congressional Issue

A LOT has happened since FOX5 interviewed me for their story on harassment of photographers at DC's Union Station.

This has now quickly grown into a serious congressional issue.  Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reacted angrily today to the suggestion put forward by Union Station's management that the space is "private property."

"I'm astounded that Union Station would be declared private property, when we [Congress] issued the lease," Norton said today, after she was provided with a list of policies written by Jones Lang LaSalle, the company which manages Union Station.  LaSalle's policies--provided by the management company to FOX5, which then showed them to Norton--began by declaring Union Station as "private property."

"The Congress of the United States didn't realize it was selling Union Station, and it is not," Norton said.  Norton's full statement to FOX5 can be viewed here.

"We're going to have hearings," Norton warned, "because it's going to be us, the Congress, or it's going to be the courts.  Somebody is going to sue, straight out, and I can tell you that the Supreme Court precedents are as clear as water on this."

As one of the photographers that kicked off this entire discussion, I say this: after seven long years of having fears used as an excuse to shred the Constitution, we have found our Joan of Arc, we have found our champion, and her name is Eleanor Holmes Norton.

As a former congressional aide and DC civic activist, I've known and watched Congresswoman Norton for years.  I can tell you, if anyone's going to mess with civil liberties in any manner whatsoever, or claim ownership over property which the people of America and the District of Columbia in particular hold dear, Eleanor Holmes Norton will not let them pass.  Her intellect is powerful, and it is wrapped in tenacity and passion.  

I'll be talking with the Congresswoman's office tomorrow.  In the meantime, please thank and encourage her, right now, by clicking here.  NOTE:  Congresswoman Norton's contact page is for District residents only.  If you live outside DC, please express your appreciation by contacting her at:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

2136 Rayburn House Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20515

Or, call (202) 225-8050

Let's show Congresswoman Norton that she has tapped into a powerful nationwide constituency on this important issue.

Photo Nation, let your voices rise.